Media should give more space to good news, pope says after grim year

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -- The media should give more space to positive, inspirational stories to counterbalance the preponderance of evil, violence and hate in the world, Pope Francis said on Thursday in his year-end message.

Francis led about 10,000 worshippers in a traditional year-end solemn "Te Deum" vespers service of thanksgiving in St. Peter's Basilica.

In his brief homily, Francis said the outgoing year had been marked by many tragedies.

"(There has been) violence, death, unspeakable suffering by so many innocent people, refugees forced to leaves their countries, men, women and children without homes, food or means of support."
Pope Francis

But he said there had also been "so many great gestures of goodness" to help those in need, "even if they are not on television news programs (because) good things don't make news."

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He said the media should not allow such gestures of solidarity to be 'obscured by the arrogance of evil.'

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Media should give more space to good news, pope says after grim year

Pope Francis delivers his speech as he celebrates a new year's eve vespers Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis delivers his speech as he celebrates a new year's eve vespers Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis, left, is silhouetted ads he prays in front of the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, at the end of a new year's eve vespers, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis swings a censer in front of a figurine of Baby Jesus during the first Vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis kisses a figurine of Baby Jesus during the first Vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis leads the first Vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis leads the first Vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis shakes hands as he visits the crib in St Peter's square after the celebration of vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he visits the crib in St Peter's square after the celebration of vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis leads the first Vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis (L) visits the crib in St Peter's square after the celebration of vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis (C) visits the crib in St Peter's square after the celebration of vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis shakes hands as he visits the crib in St Peter's square after the celebration of vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year at St Peter's basilica on December 31, 2015 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

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The Argentine pope, marking the third New Year's season since his election in 2013, condemned the "insatiable thirst for power and gratuitous violence" the world had seen in 2015, without giving examples.

But in his Christmas message last week, he urged the world to unite to end atrocities by Islamist militants who he said were causing immense suffering in many countries.

Police are checking the bags of people as they approach the Vatican area and then have to go through additional, airport-style screening if they want to enter St. Peter's Square or St. Peter's Basilica.

Francis also condemned a political corruption scandal that hit Rome, the city of which he is also bishop. The scandal, known as "Mafia Capital," has spawned a massive trial with 46 defendants that began last month.

Mobsters, bureaucrats and politicians are accused of siphoning millions of euros from public contracts for everything from refugee shelters to trash collection.

The 79-year-old pope, who appears to have held up well during his numerous public appearances over the Christmas and New Year's season, is due to celebrate a Mass on Friday in the basilica to mark the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace.